04.02.2021
Historic Day Sees New Church Consecrated in Diocese of Jerusalem
Last Tuesday (February 2) was a historic day for our partners in the Diocese of Jerusalem.
For the first time since the establishment of Israel in 1948, a brand new Episcopal church was consecrated in the Holy Land: Christ the King Church in Tarshiha in Upper Galilee, near the Lebanese border.
At noon on Tuesday, Archbishop Suheil Dawani, Bishop Hosam Naoum and diocesan clergy gathered with Fr Hatim Jirvis and representatives from his congregation for a moving service of consecration for the beautiful new building.
Over the past three years, the parish has partnered with congregations in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, who have contributed towards the construction of the church and its integrated parish hall. Both were built on land donated by the town itself.
People of Dublin & Glendalough have heard about the building of the church in Tarshiba during visits to the dioceses by Archbishop Dawani and his clergy. Archbishop Michael Jackson has congratulated all associated with the new church building.
“It is always good to learn of fresh developments in the Diocese of Jerusalem,” he said. “The construction and dedication of a new church building is a very gladdening event in the life of the Christian community. Suddenly there is a house of prayer and a place of God’s presence where there was not one before.”
“On behalf of the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough I congratulate everyone associated prayerfully and practically and generously with the Church of Christ the King in these days,” he added.
The Diocese of Jerusalem and the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough have been engaged in a deepening friendship since January 2016 when Archbishop Dawani and Archbishop Jackson signed the Epiphany Agreement. The agreement commits to developing a link relationship of equal partners between the two dioceses which is sustainable, practical, effective, mutually supportive and mutually enriching. The aim of the link is to strengthen mission and evangelism in the church communities in both dioceses, to increase awareness between the dioceses of their solidarity in the cause of Christ, to respect and learn of and from each other’s cultural heritage and to enable the world to recognize more clearly God’s mission.
The Jerusalem Link Facebook page aims to share information from the Diocese of Jerusalem with the people of Dublin & Glendalough.